So after seeing episode two of CW Seed’s new animated series “Vixen” based on the DC Character, Vixen(ofkess) and almost suing the producers for making it too short, I saw the lead character’s name–while waiting to see who I’m formally suing–and I just smiled when I reread and saw the name: Megalyn Echukunwoke.
By the way, Vixen is based on the DC Character Mari McCabe/Vixen, a costumed superhero crime-fighter with the power to mimic the abilities of any animal that has ever lived on Earth. The series is set in the same fictional universe as Arrow, The Flash, and Legends of Tomorrow.
So who is this Nigerian–mixed breed actually–beauty taking over Hollywood and even being a title character in a Comic (how cool is that), is she new? why haven’t we heard about it and made a huge fuss about it already as we usually do? Read on and get familiar!
According to USA Network:
Echikunwoke means “leader of men” and Megalyn is the granddaughter of a Nigerian tribal leader, which technically makes her African royalty. Echikunwoke, whose father is Nigerian and whose mother is a white American, was raised on the Navajo Indian Reservation in Chinle Arizona.
At age 14, Echikunwoke was discovered while performing in an arts academy summer camp play, and thus began her long distance relationship with Hollywood. She began auditioning for parts via videotape, and then she and her mom would make the long drive in from Arizona. Her persistence paid off and at age 15 she was cast as the young female lead in the ABC/Peter Benchley miniseries “Creature.” Soon thereafter she and her family moved to Los Angeles where Echikunwoke enrolled in high school and immersed herself in the theatre department.
Echikunwoke has appeared on screen in several roles over the last couple of years. She appeared opposite Alfre Woodard in the cable feature “Funny Valentines.” Most recently, Echikunwoke was a regular on the television series “Like Family” for the WB, and for two seasons she kept busy recurring as the President’s daughter on the Fox series “24,” as well the District Attorney’s daughter on the Lifetime series “For the People.” She also had a recurring role on “That ‘70’s Show” where she played Danny Masterson’s newly discovered half-sister as well as Ashton Kutcher’s love interest for the 2004-2005 season. Additionally, she has had numerous guest star roles on such shows as “Supernatural,” “Veronica Mars,” “ER,” “Boston Public” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”.
Nigerians are really making waves in Hollywood, shoutouts at those that have not changed their last names!
